Nick Kyrgios is yet to receive an Australian Open wild card…
The 30-year-old is the only active Australian player to have reached a Grand Slam final, but as it stands, he won’t play the year’s first major tournament.
Despite accepting a wild card into the Brisbane International, Kyrgios’ Australian Open status remained unclear.
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That was until Kyrgios provided an update during his latest press conference in Brisbane.
Nick Kyrgios doesn’t want to take a wild card away from someone more deserving
Kyrgios was asked if he thinks he’s ‘on trial’ in Brisbane for a wild card spot at the Australian Open.
“That’s an interesting word of choice,” said Kyrgios.
“I could have a phone call and be, like, look, I feel 100%, I feel as if I’m going to make a final of a Grand Slam that no other player in Australia has done in the last 19 years, I could butter it up and take it, but I want to prove to myself first.
“I’m playing this event because I want to go out there and compete.
“I feel as if I can still play, and I want to prove to myself, after the injuries I have had, that I can play at this level and still be successful.”
Kyrgios doesn’t want to take a wild card spot away from someone in better shape than him, and would be willing to pass up on the opportunity, just as his fellow Aussie did for him during his younger years.
“I don’t want to be that player that takes opportunities away from young people that have been really working towards this moment of having a wildcard,” he said.
“[John] Millman gave his wildcard up for me at the French Open when he was injured, and he wasn’t feeling 100%, and that’s where everything kicked off for me, my whole career.
“Basically, after that moment, I became a different player mentality-wise, and physically, I learned so much. I knew physically I was so far behind the 8 Ball. I knew mentality, I believed I could win, but I had so much work to do.”
Kyrgios did, however, suggest that if he felt right in Brisbane, he’d accept a wild card.
“If I’m feeling great and I get through this week and I feel I can perform at the Australian Open and really enjoy it and give the people [a show], they are paying good money to be there,” he said.
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“If I’m not able to give them the Kyrgios experience, then I would genuinely rather give it to someone who earned the wildcard and really is in tip-top shape to start off something special in their career.”
Only time will tell if Kyrgios will play the Australian Open this year, but for now, he’ll turn his attention to the Brisbane International.
Who will Nick Kyrgios play at the Brisbane International?
On Monday, January 5, Kyrgios will play his first ATP Tour singles match in 290 days.
He will take on America’s Aleksandar Kovacevic, the world number 60.
Kyrgios will need to be at his best to take down a top-100 player, but who else could he take on in Brisbane?
Nick Kyrgios’ route to the Brisbane title (By ranking)
- 2026 Brisbane International 1R – Aleksandar Kovacevic
- 2026 Brisbane International 2R – Cameron Norrie
- 2026 Brisbane International QF – Tommy Paul
- 2026 Brisbane International SF – Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- 2026 Brisbane International F – Daniil Medvedev
Britain’s Cameron Norrie may await Kyrgios in the second round, a player you don’t want to meet if you’re anything less than 100% fit.
However, even if Kyrgios does struggle in the singles, he should get some more minutes into his system in the doubles tournament.
Playing with Thanasi Kokkinakis, Kyrgios will face Rajeev Ram and Matthew Ebden in the first round of the Brisbane International doubles event.
A year ago, Kyrgios played with Novak Djokovic in the Brisbane doubles tournament, reaching the second round thanks to a three-set win.
It remains to be seen if he can repeat the feat in 2026, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will play Ebden and Ram in the first round of the 2026 Brisbane International on Sunday, January 4.
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